DOSING OF SUBCOOLED LIQUIDS FOR HIGH VOLUME FLOW APPLICATIONS

Abstract

A sub cooled liquid delivery system includes at least one feed tank, at least one pressure building apparatus in fluid communication with the at least one feed tank, at least one weight measurement apparatus for measuring the weight of the at least one feed tank and a liquid present in the at least one feed tank, at least one fill conduit in fluid communication with the at least one feed tank for providing the liquid to the at least one feed tank, at least one feed conduit in fluid communication with the at least one feed tank for delivering a subcooled liquid to at least one liquid utilizing process, and at least one pressure building conduit in fluid communication with the at least one feed tank for increasing the pressure within the at least one feed tank. A method is also included to subcool liquid delivery using the system.

Description

Provided are a subcooled liquid delivery system for and method of metering a liquid by weight for delivering an accurate, recordable amount of liquid to processes which utilize the liquid.

Many commercial and industrial refrigeration and freezing systems utilize liquid refrigerating or cooling agents. In many cases, the liquid refrigerating or cooling agents are liquid cryogens, such as liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen, liquid argon, and refrigerants such as liquid carbon dioxide, etc. To date, no reliable means have been developed to reliably meter such liquids.

Because liquid cryogens are extremely cold, it is nearly impossible to sufficiently insulate a conduit conveying the liquid cryogen to keep some of the liquid cryogen from evolving or changing phase into gas. Thus, a certain percentage of the volume flowing through the conduit consists of the gaseous form of the cryogen (resulting in two-phase flow), which makes accurately metering and recording the flow of the cryogen very difficult. Previously known methods of controlling liquid delivery include methods based upon volume or mass of liquid flowing through a conduit, time of injection, temperature of the products being cooled, and viscosity of the products being cooled.

Methods of controlling liquid delivery based upon the volume or mass of liquid flowing through a conduit, such as those methods utilizing volumetric flow meters or Coriolis mass flow meters, are unable to accurately measure two-phase flow, may be extremely expensive, and the accuracy of the measurements obtained cannot be verified during operation. Further, turbine flow meters (a type of volumetric or mass flow meter) are only able to accurately measure single-phase flow.

Methods of controlling liquid delivery based upon time of injection of the cryogen into the utilizing process are vulnerable to the variability in flow rate introduced by the presence of the gaseous cryogen. The rate of cryogen injection may be highly variable, resulting in an uncertain amount of cryogen being injected into the utilizing process.

Methods of controlling liquid delivery based on the temperature of the product being cooled, such as a food product or a product from another type of process, have various vulnerabilities. That is, the temperature probes utilized to measure the temperature of the product are difficult to keep clear of product build-up and other debris; “voids” in the product being cooled may result in the probe reading the temperature of the cryogen rather than the temperature of the product; and accurate temperature readings may be difficult to obtain. Further, the amount of liquid utilized to cool the product cannot be accurately recorded without additional devices or apparatus, thereby resulting in increased cost and complexity of the system.

Methods of controlling liquid delivery based on the viscosity of the products being cooled rely on sensing the mixer's or the blender's motor power, and require that the products undergo at least a partial phase change during the cooling process. Further, the amount of liquid utilized to cool the product cannot be accurately recorded without additional devices or apparatus, thereby resulting in increased cost and complexity of the system.

In previously known methods, a margin of error of up to about 50% in metering cryogenic liquids is possible. This is because the gaseous portion of the fluid may take up considerably more space in the conduit than the liquid portion of the fluid. At the normal operating pressure of many systems, there may be approximately a 50:1 gas to liquid volume ratio.

For example, if it is desired to provide 1,000 lbs of liquid cryogen to a refrigeration system, as little as 500 lbs, and as much as 1,500 lbs, of liquid cryogen may be delivered to the refrigeration system. Because refrigeration/cooling processes typically require a specific amount of cooling power, it may become necessary to utilize a liquid cryogen which contains excess cooling power in order to compensate for receiving up to 50% less cryogenic liquid than what is desired.

Further, it is sometimes necessary to provide a liquid cryogen at high pressure in order to ensure that the liquid cryogen is delivered quickly to a liquid utilizing process, in order to minimize the cooling loss during transit. In previously known methods, this typically requires a high pressure bulk storage tank, which may be costly and inefficient to operate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the subject matter are disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings and are for illustrative purposes only. The subject matter is not limited in its application to the details of construction or the arrangement of the components illustrated in the drawings. Like reference numerals are used to indicate like components, unless otherwise indicated.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a subcooled liquid delivery system.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the subcooled liquid delivery system embodiment of FIG. 1 in operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the subject matter herein utilize weight-based measurement systems to inexpensively and accurately provide cryogenic liquids to processes which utilize said liquids. Further, weight-based measurement systems may be easily calibrated and validated as to accuracy. Therefore, there is provided a system and a method which can accurately meter a liquid by weight, and deliver a recordable quantity of liquid to a liquid utilizing process, such as a refrigeration or freezing process utilizing a liquid cryogen.

In an embodiment, a system and method are provided for metering, by weight, a liquid cooling agent for use in a liquid utilizing process, such as a cooling, refrigerating or freezing process. The method and system may be described herein with reference to a subcooled and/or cryogenic liquid, but it will be understood that the system and method may be used to meter, supply and/or dose, by weight, any liquid for delivery to any liquid utilizing process.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 1A, a system 100 comprises at least one feed tank 102 in fluid communication, via at least one feed conduit 108, with at least one liquid utilizing process (not shown) and, optionally, at least one pressurized bulk storage tank (not shown), via at least one fill conduit 110. The term “feed tank” indicates that the feed tank 102 supplies or “feeds” the liquid to the at least one liquid utilizing process (not shown), and it should be recognized that the feed tanks 102 are separate and distinct from the optional pressurized bulk storage tank (not shown) which, when present, supplies liquid to the feed tank 102. Pressurized liquid may be flashed at from about 0 psi to about 1 psi or some other pressure below the pressure of the optional at least one pressurized bulk storage tank into the at least one feed tank 102 from a pressurized liquid source, such as a pressurized bulk storage tank, via the at least one fill conduit 110. Once flashed in the feed tank 102, the liquid remaining in the feed tank 102 is at a minimum temperature. For example, the liquid may be liquid nitrogen which, upon flashing at from about 0 psi to about 1 psi, will produce liquid nitrogen at about −320° F. (−196° C.).

The at least one feed tank 102 is also in fluid communication with at least one pressure building apparatus 104 via at least one pressure building conduit 112. The pressure building apparatus 104 may comprise at least one pressure building tank 126 or any other suitable apparatus capable of providing high pressure to the at least one feed tank 102, in conjunction with at least one pressure regulating valve 128 and at least one pressure shut-off valve 130. The pressure building tank 126 may also be in fluid communication with a heat exchanger 132 which is in fluid communication with the at least one fill conduit 110, such that liquid in the fill conduit 110 may be partially directed through the heat exchanger 132, where the liquid will be converted to a gas. The heat exchanger 132 may be a conduit or may comprise a conventional heat exchanger, such as a shell and tube heat exchanger. The gas may be utilized to increase the pressure within the at least one pressure building tank 126. Alternatively, or in addition, and referring also to FIG. 1A, the at least one pressure building apparatus 104 may comprise a low pressure gas tank 125, low pressure valves 131, a high pressure gas tank 127, pressure shut-off valves 131 and a compressor 105. The pressure building apparatus 104 may be capable of pressurizing the feed tank 102 to pressures up to about 500 psi.

While FIG. 1 depicts two feed tanks 102 and two pressure building tanks 126, the system 100 may function with only one feed tank 102 and one pressure building tank 126. The system 100 may also function with more than two feed tanks 102 and more than two pressure building tanks 126.

The at least one feed tank 102 is engaged, directly or indirectly, with at least one weight measurement apparatus 106, such as a load cell, a strain gauge, a force sensor or the like, in such a manner that the weight measurement apparatus 106 is able to continuously, or at least periodically, determine the weight of the feed tank 102, as continuous operation of the weight measurement apparatus 106 is not required. By measuring the weight of the feed tank 102, the weight of any liquid present in the at least one feed tank 102 may be calculated, such as by subtracting the tare weight of the feed tank 102 and any associated components from the total weight measured by the weight measurement apparatus 106. Thus, the system is capable of providing an accurate, recordable weight of liquid to at least one liquid utilizing process while substantially reducing, or perhaps eliminating, problems associated with the previously known liquid supply systems discussed above.

The at least one feed tank 102 may also be engaged with at least one gas conduit 114 for recycling, reusing and/or exhausting either or both of: (i) the gas utilized to pressurize the feed tank 102; and (ii) the gas which is evolved or changes phase upon injection and flashing of the liquid into the feed tank 102. The at least one gas conduit 114 may be in fluid communication with at least one apparatus which will utilize the gas, such as the pressure building apparatus 104. The gas may, for example, also or alternatively be used to clean injection nozzles which may be present in the system or to provide actuation of pneumatic controls (not shown) which may be present in the system. It may also be desirable to reliquefy the gas through a subcooling gas loop (not shown) in the bottom of at least one feed tank 102. The gas conduit 114 may be associated with a flow meter 136 for measuring the flow of gas leaving the at least one feed tank 102.

The fill conduit 110 may be associated with a master fill valve 116 and at least one dedicated fill valve 118. The at least one feed conduit 108 may be associated with a master feed valve 120 and at least one dedicated feed valve 122. The gas conduit 114 may be associated with a master gas valve 132 and at least one dedicated gas valve 134. One of each of the at least one dedicated fill valve 118, the at least one dedicated feed valve 122 and the at least one dedicated gas valve 134 may be associated with one of the at least one feed tanks 102, as shown in FIG. 1.

In certain embodiments, the system 100 may include at least one liquid level measurement device 124 for measuring or otherwise determining a level of liquid present in the at least one feed tank 102, such as for safety purposes. The measurement device 124 may be utilized to periodically or continuously measure or otherwise determine the level of liquid present in the at least one feed tank 102, such as while the at least one feed tank 102 is being filled.

FIG. 2 depicts the system 100 of FIG. 1 in operation. A first feed tank 102 is associated with a dedicated fill valve 118, a pressure shut-off valve 130, a dedicated feed valve 122 and a dedicated gas valve 134. A second feed tank 102a is associated with a dedicated fill valve 118a, a pressure shut-off valve 130a, a dedicated feed valve 122a and a dedicated gas valve 134a.

Master fill valve 116 and dedicated fill valve 118 are in the open position, while dedicated fill valve 118a is in the closed position, allowing liquid to pass into feed tank 102 where the liquid is flashed upon injection. While feed tank 102 is being filled, dedicated feed valve 122 is in the closed position to allow feed tank 102 to fill. Pressure shut-off valve 130 is also in the closed position, as it may not be desirable to pressurize feed tank 102 while it is being filled. Further, dedicated gas valve 134 is in the open position so that the gas resulting from flashing the liquid upon injection into feed tank 102 may leave feed tank 102 such that it will not increase the pressure in feed tank 102, which might result in an undesirable increase in the temperature of the liquid in feed tank 102. Master gas valve 132 is also in the open position such that gas from feed tank 102 may be utilized by the pressure building apparatus 104 or other processes which may utilize the gas (not shown).

Feed tank 102a has already been filled and contains a desired weight of liquid, as measured by the at least one weight measurement apparatus 106. Thus, dedicated fill valve 118a is in the closed position so that no more liquid may enter feed tank 102a. Pressure shut-off valve 130a is in the open position so that pressure may be introduced into feed tank 102a by pressure building apparatus 104, which will result in the liquid in feed tank 102a being forced out of feed tank 102a through dedicated feed valve 122a, which is in the open position. Master feed valve 120 is also in the open position, allowing liquid from feed tank 102a to be sent to at least one liquid utilizing process (not shown). Dedicated gas valve 134a is in the closed position such that the gas being injected into feed tank 102a by the pressure building apparatus 104 will cause an increase in pressure in feed tank 102a.

In certain embodiments, the pressure shut-off valve 130a is only moved to the open position shortly prior to draining the liquid from feed tank 102a, such that the liquid in feed tank 102a is pressurized for a very short period of time. The liquid in tank 102a thus becomes subcooled, as it does not have a chance to reach equilibrium prior to being delivered to the at least one liquid utilizing process. The temperature of the liquid will therefore only increase negligibly and only a small amount of gas will evolve from the liquid. In certain embodiments, the system 100 may be in close proximity to the at least one liquid utilizing process in order to ensure that the liquid remains subcooled throughout the delivery process.

In certain embodiments, the system 100 may be utilized to continuously supply liquid to at least one liquid utilizing process. While tank 102a is supplying liquid to the at least one liquid utilizing process, tank 102 is being filled. After tank 102a is drained, the dedicated valves will switch to positions opposite those shown in FIG. 2 such that tank 102, having been filled, will provide liquid to the at least one liquid utilizing process. Tank 102a may then be refilled.

A plurality of tanks 102,102a for example may be used in order to ensure a continuous supply of liquid, although a continuous supply of liquid is not necessary for operation of the system 100. Further, liquid may be supplied at various pressures to various liquid utilizing processes by altering the pressure provided by the pressure building apparatus 104 while a feed tank 102 is supplying liquid to a liquid utilizing process. For example, a high pressure liquid cooling agent may be provided to a cooling system, and a low pressure liquid cooling agent may be supplied to a freezing system.

Also, because the at least one feed tank 102 (or 102a) is being pressurized after it is filled, for example from a pressurized bulk storage tank, it is not necessary to utilize a high pressure bulk storage tank as in the previously known liquid supply systems. A relatively low pressure bulk storage tank, such as from about 25 psi to about 75 psi, may be desirable, because lower pressure liquid involves a smaller change in temperature when it is flashed into the at least one feed tank 102. This results in an increased efficiency because a greater proportion of liquid to gas is transferred to the feed tank than if the liquid being flashed into the at least one feed tank 102 was at a higher pressure.

For example, a liquid nitrogen-utilizing process may require pressures of up to about 475 psi. Using the present system, it is only necessary to pressurize the at least one feed tank 102 supplying liquid nitrogen to the liquid utilizing process to 475 psi, whereas in using the previously known liquid supply systems, it may be necessary to utilize a bulk storage tank which is kept at about 475 psi, or to utilize other complicated means of increasing the pressure of a liquid provided from a bulk storage tank, which may drastically affect the efficiency of the liquid utilizing process. Because the present system can more easily utilize high pressure liquid delivery, it also becomes possible to use smaller conduits and valves, because the liquid will be moving at higher velocity through the conduits. Further, if a liquid nitrogen pressurized bulk storage tank was kept at about 475 psi, it would be necessary to reduce the pressure prior to delivering the liquid to liquid utilizing processes which require lower pressures, resulting in further increased equipment costs and possibly reducing the efficiency of the process.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the system 100 may be controlled by a microprocessor (not shown) which may be capable of accepting data from the at least one weight measurement apparatus 106, at least one pressure gauge (not shown) associated with the at least one feed tank 102 and/or the pressure building apparatus 104, and the at least one liquid level measurement device 124. The microprocessor may then calculate the weight of liquid present in the at least one feed tank 102 and control delivery of the liquid from the at least one feed tank 102 to at least one liquid utilizing process by actuating the various valves present in the system 100. The microprocessor may also be capable of recording the amount of liquid provided to the at least one liquid utilizing process.

A first embodiment of the present subject matter includes a subcooled liquid delivery system comprising: at least one feed tank; at least one pressure building apparatus in fluid communication with the at least one feed tank; at least one weight measurement apparatus for measuring the weight of the at least one feed tank and a liquid present in the at least one feed tank; at least one fill conduit in fluid communication with the at least one feed tank for providing the liquid to the at least one feed tank; at least one feed conduit in fluid communication with the at least one feed tank for delivering a subcooled liquid to at least one liquid utilizing process; and at least one pressure building conduit in fluid communication with the at least one feed tank for increasing the pressure within the at least one feed tank.

The system of the first embodiment may further comprise at least one gas conduit in fluid communication with the at least one feed tank for providing gas from the at least one feed tank to at least one of the pressure building apparatus or at least one other process.

The system of either or both of the first or subsequent embodiments described above may further comprise a master fill valve and at least one dedicated fill valve associated with the at least one fill conduit, and a master feed valve and at least one dedicated feed valve associated with the at least one feed conduit, wherein each of the at least one feed tanks is operatively associated with one of the at least one dedicated fill valve and one of the at least one dedicated feed valve. The system may further comprise a microprocessor control device capable of (i) accepting data from (a) the at least one weight measurement apparatus, (b) at least one pressure gauge associated with the at least one feed tank, and optionally (c) a liquid level measurement device in fluid communication with the at least one feed tank; (ii) calculating the weight of liquid present in the at least one feed tank; and (iii) controlling delivery of the subcooled liquid to the at least one liquid utilizing process by manipulating or adjusting the master fill valve, the at least one dedicated fill valve the master feed valve, and/or the at least one dedicated feed valve.

The system of any of the first or subsequent embodiments described above may further include that the pressure building apparatus comprises at least one pressure building tank which is in fluid communication with the feed tank via the at least one pressure building conduit, at least one pressure regulating valve operatively engaged with the at least one pressure building conduit, and at least one shut-off valve operatively engaged with the at least one pressure building conduit. The system may further include that the pressure building apparatus further comprises an ambient heat exchanger in fluid communication with the at least one fill conduit and the at least one pressure building tank, such that liquid is provided from the at least one fill conduit, vaporized into a gas in the ambient heat exchanger, and utilized to increase the pressure within the at least one pressure building tank.

The system of any of the first or subsequent embodiments described above may further include that the pressure building apparatus comprises a compressor.

The system of any of the first or subsequent embodiments described above may further include that the at least one weight measurement apparatus comprises a load cell, a strain gauge or a force sensor.

The system of any of the first or subsequent embodiments described above may further comprise a pressurized storage tank that is in controlled fluid communication with the at least one feed tank via one of the at least one fill conduits for providing liquid to the at least one feed tank.

The system of any of the first or subsequent embodiments described above may further include that the liquid comprises a cryogen, optionally nitrogen.

A second embodiment of the present subject matter includes a method of providing a subcooled liquid to at least one liquid utilizing process comprising: (a) providing at least two feed tanks, including a first feed tank and a second feed tank; (b) at least partially filling the first feed tank concurrently or sequentially with the filling of another of the at least two feed tanks; (c) calculating the weight of liquid present in the first feed tank; (d) increasing the pressure in the first feed tank by utilizing at least one pressure building apparatus, converting the liquid in the first feed tank into a subcooled liquid; (e) providing a desired amount, by weight, of the subcooled liquid in the first feed tank to the at least one liquid utilizing process, the subcooled liquid being forced out of the first feed tank as a result of the increased pressure in the first feed tank; (f) repeating (b)-(e); (g) at least partially filling the second feed tank concurrently or sequentially with the filling of another of the at least two feed tanks; (h) calculating the weight of liquid present in the second feed tank; (i) increasing the pressure in the second feed tank by utilizing the at least one pressure building apparatus, converting the liquid in the second feed tank into a subcooled liquid; (j) providing a desired amount, by weight, of the subcooled liquid in the second feed tank to the at least one liquid utilizing process, the subcooled liquid being forced out of the second feed tank as a result of the increased pressure in the second feed tank; and (k) repeating (g)-(j); wherein subcooled liquid is substantially continuously available to the at least one liquid utilizing process by filling at least one of the at least two feed tanks while another of the at least two feed tanks is capable of providing subcooled liquid to the at least one liquid utilizing process.

The method of the second embodiment may further comprise utilizing additional feed tanks in the same manner as the first feed tank and the second feed tank to provide subcooled liquid to the at least one liquid utilizing process.

The method of either or both of the second or subsequent embodiments described above may further comprise providing gas present in the at least one feed tank to at least one of the pressure building apparatus or at least one other process.

The method of any of the second or subsequent embodiments described above may further comprise measuring the level of liquid in at least one of the at least two feed tanks during filling of the at least two feed tanks.

The method of any of the second or subsequent embodiments described above may further include that said calculating the weight of the liquid in the first feed tank and/or the second feed tanks is enabled by at least one weight measurement device, the at least one weight measurement device comprising a load cell, a strain gauge or a force sensor.

The method of any of the second or subsequent embodiments described above may further include that said increasing the pressure in the first feed tank and/or the second feed tank comprises utilizing at least one pressure building tank to inject a gas into the first feed tank and/or the second feed tank, wherein the at least one pressure building tank is in fluid communication with the first feed tank and/or the second feed tank via at least one pressure building conduit.

The method of any of the second or subsequent embodiments described above may further comprise providing a gas to the at least one pressure building tank to increase the pressure within the at least one pressure building tank.

The method of any of the second or subsequent embodiments described above may further include that said increasing the pressure in the first feed tank and/or the second feed tank comprises utilizing a compressor to inject a gas into the first feed tank and/or the second feed tank.

The method of any of the second or subsequent embodiments described above may further include that the liquid for said at least partially filling any of the at least two feed tanks is provided from a pressurized bulk storage tank.

The method of any of the second or subsequent embodiments described above may further include that the liquid comprises a cryogen, optionally nitrogen.

It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary, and that one skilled in the art may make variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as described hereinabove and claimed. Further, all embodiments disclosed are not necessarily in the alternative, as various embodiments may be combined to provide the desired result.

Claims

1. A subcooled liquid delivery system, comprising:

at least one feed tank;

at least one pressure building apparatus in fluid communication with the at least one feed tank;

at least one weight measurement apparatus for measuring the weight of the at least one feed tank and a liquid present in the at least one feed tank;

at least one fill conduit in fluid communication with the at least one feed tank for providing the liquid to the at least one feed tank;

at least one feed conduit in fluid communication with the at least one feed tank for delivering a subcooled liquid to at least one liquid utilizing process; and

at least one pressure building conduit in fluid communication with the at least one feed tank for increasing the pressure within the at least one feed tank.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one gas conduit in fluid communication with the at least one feed tank for providing gas from the at least one feed tank to at least one of the pressure building apparatus or at least one other process.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a master fill valve and at least one dedicated fill valve associated with the at least one fill conduit, and a master feed valve and at least one dedicated feed valve associated with the at least one feed conduit, wherein each one of the at least one feed tank is operatively associated with one of the at least one dedicated fill valve and one of the at least one dedicated feed valve.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a microprocessor control device capable of: (i) accepting data from (a) the at least one weight measurement apparatus, (b) at least one pressure gauge associated with the at least one feed tank, and optionally (c) a liquid level measurement device in fluid communication with the at least one feed tank; (ii) calculating the weight of liquid present in the at least one feed tank; and (iii) controlling delivery of the subcooled liquid to the at least one liquid utilizing process by adjusting the master fill valve, the at least one dedicated fill valve, the master feed valve and/or the at least one dedicated feed valve.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the pressure building apparatus comprises at least one pressure building tank which is in fluid communication with the feed tank via the at least one pressure building conduit, at least one pressure regulating valve operatively engaged with the at least one pressure building conduit, and at least one shut-off valve operatively engaged with the at least one pressure building conduit.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the pressure building apparatus further comprises an ambient heat exchanger in fluid communication with the at least one fill conduit and the at least one pressure building tank, such that liquid is provided from the at least one fill conduit, vaporized into a gas in the ambient heat exchanger, and utilized to increase the pressure within the at least one pressure building tank.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one pressure building apparatus comprises a compressor.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one weight measurement apparatus comprises a load cell, a strain gauge or a force sensor.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a pressurized storage tank that is in fluid communication with the at least one feed tank via one of the at least one fill conduits for providing liquid to the at least one feed tank.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises a cryogen, optionally nitrogen.

11. A method of providing a subcooled liquid to at least one liquid utilizing process, comprising:

(a) providing at least two feed tanks, including a first feed tank and a second feed tank;

(b) at least partially filling the first feed tank concurrently or sequentially with the filling of another of the at least two feed tanks;

(c) calculating the weight of liquid in the first feed tank;

(d) increasing the pressure in the first feed tank by utilizing at least one pressure building apparatus, converting the liquid in the first feed tank into a subcooled liquid;

(e) providing a desired amount, by weight, of the subcooled liquid in the first feed tank to the at least one liquid utilizing process, the subcooled liquid being forced out of the first feed tank as a result of the increased pressure in the first feed tank;

(f) repeating (b)-(e);

(g) at least partially filling the second feed tank concurrently or sequentially with the filling of another of the at least two feed tanks;

(h) calculating the weight of liquid present in the second feed tank;

(i) increasing the pressure in the second feed tank by utilizing the at least one pressure building apparatus, converting the liquid in the second feed tank into a subcooled liquid;

(j) providing a desired amount, by weight, of the subcooled liquid in the second feed tank to the at least one liquid utilizing process, the subcooled liquid being forced out of the second feed tank as a result of the increased pressure in the second feed tank; and

(k) repeating (g)-(j);

wherein subcooled liquid is substantially continuously available to the at least one liquid utilizing process by filling at least one of the at least two feed tanks while another of the at least two feed tanks is capable of providing subcooled liquid to the at least one liquid utilizing process.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising utilizing additional feed tanks in a similar way as the first feed tank and the second feed tank are utilized to provide subcooled liquid to the at least one liquid utilizing process.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing gas present in the at least one feed tank to at least one of the pressure building apparatus or at least one other process.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising measuring the level of liquid in at least one of the at least two feed tanks during filling of the at least two feed tanks.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said calculating the weight of the liquid in the first feed tank and/or the second feed tanks is by at least one weight measurement device, the at least one weight measurement device comprising a load cell, a strain gauge or a force sensor.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein said increasing the pressure in the first feed tank and/or the second feed tank comprises utilizing at least one pressure building tank to inject a gas into the first feed tank and/or the second feed tank, wherein the at least one pressure building tank is in fluid communication with the first feed tank and/or the second feed tank via at least one pressure building conduit.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a gas to the at least one pressure building tank to increase the pressure within the at least one pressure building tank.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein said increasing the pressure in the first feed tank and/or the second feed tank comprises utilizing a compressor to inject a gas into the first feed tank and/or the second feed tank.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the liquid for said at least partially filling any of the at least two feed tanks is provided from a pressurized bulk storage tank.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the liquid comprises a cryogen, optionally nitrogen.